A Historic Day: September 13, 1918

Thanks to Tatul Hagopyan’s ANIARC (Ani Armenian Research Center) I learned that today, September 13, (1918) is a historic day for the Armenian nation. It is the day when the Armenian tricolor became the national flag of the Armenian nation by the order of the Minister of Internal Affairs of Armenia, Aram Manougian.

Attached is my translation of Tatul Hagopyan’s posting.

“The instruction of the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia on the use of the tricolor flag

September 13, 1918

The state-government institutions of the Republic of Armenia must have and wear the flag of the Republic in the following colors, in order from top to bottom: red, blue, yellow.

Having announced this, I submit to immediately implement this instruction and follow its perfect implementation.”

Հայերենով

Շնորհիւ Թաթույ Յակոբյանի Անի հայ պատմական յետախուզական կեդրոնին, այսօր իմացայ որ այս օրը՝ 13.9.2018-ը նշանակելից օր մըն է համայն հայութեան համար։ Այդ օրը՝ Հայաստանի Հանրապետութեան Ներքին Գործոց Նախարար Արամ Մանուկեանին պատուէրով՝ ազգը կունենար իր ազգային դրօշակը՝ եռագոյնը։

Տեղադրութեան բնագիրը կցած եմ

ՀՀ ներքին գործերի մինիստրի հրահանգը եռագույն դրոշակը գործածելու մասին

“13 սեպտեմբեր, 1918թ․

Հայաստանի Հանրապետության պետական-կառավարական հիմնարկությունները պետք է ունենան և կրեն Հանրապետության դրոշակ հետևյալ գույներով, ըստ կարգի վերևից ներքև՝ կարմիր, կապույտ, դեղին։

Հայտնելով այս մասին, առաջարկում եմ անմիջապես կիրառել սույն հրահանգը և հետևել նրա անթերի իրագործմանը։

Ներքին գործոց մինիստր՝ ԱՐԱՄ

Կռավարության լրաբեր, 24 սեպտեմբերի, 1918”

 

 

A difficult northern uncle indeed

Vahe H Apelian

Armenians have referred to Russia as its northern powerful Christian uncle because they have regarded Russia as their closest neighbor who would stand by them in case of need. This sentimental uncle has not lived up to that image politically. Russia has been and continues to be for the Armenians a difficult political uncle indeed, whom the Armenians do not imagine to dismiss from the family fold. Russia is and will remain Armenia’s Northeastern neighbor with whom they will have to deal.

Lately I am reminded of Antranig Chalabian’s take on Armenia and Russia relationship he penned in his booklet he titled “Emperors, Tsars and Commissars”.  The booklet is written in 1988 when the Soviet Union was teetering between abandoning the Soviet ship or restructuring it as its leader Gorbachev aspired. 

 I quote the following passage from his booklet: “As long as Turks are Turks and they are living in Turkey, Armenians inhabiting the southern boarders of the Soviet Union have no choice but to seek Russian protection, irrespective of the kind of government which rules that country. This is a political affinity and has nothing to do with ideologies. Only deranged Armenian politicos and pollical adventurers can think otherwise.”

Not all of course in Armenia are as adamant as Antranig Chalabian was.

But he also questioned and qualified that relationship and wrote: “Will the present-day Soviet rulers of glasnost and perestroika (openness and restructuring) be able to see the important role a greater and stronger Armenia can play in the political network of religious minded peoples on the southern borders of their empire? It remains to be seen.” 

Russia, Antranig wrote, is vulnerable at its southern border. Armenia, Chalabian said, is Russia’s natural and most reliable ally and the best guarantor of its southern border. But he also cautioned reflecting on history and said: “The Byzantine emperors made mistakes and they paid dearly for them. Russia’s tsars, in their turn, were incapable of seeing their southern borders were inhabited not by White Russians but by potentially dangerous Turkish peoples. In the face of that danger, instead of creating a great and autonomous Armenian state to divide and weaken those peoples, they aspired for an Armenia without Armenians, thus strengthening and uniting their own enemies!”

Over thirty years have passed since Soviet Union broke apart and Armenia regained its independence. But it is apparent that Russia, in the present, does not see the “the important role a greater and a stronger Armenia can play” as a buffer for Mother Russia in its southern border. I do not think we can negate Russia’s tilt has been away from its natural ally Armenia and has been towards Azerbaijan, naturally I mean to say to Azerbaijan-Turkey alliance. 

Armenia is small country to be of any military and economic concern for Russia or Turkey. However, Russia’s recent overreaction to Armenia military exercising with a token American forces in Armenia, where Russia maintains a battalion, is an indication that Armenia, the homeland of the global Armenian nation, is a very consequential country for Russia but it fails to treats it as a strategic ally, but rather takes Armenia for granted subject to its will.

Thus, Armenia historically as well as in the present continues to be caught between East and West and as such between two regional superpowers, the United States in the West and Russia in the East who are testing their military prowess and thus political, not on their grounds, but on other countries’ grounds, surely Ukraine and no less in Syria as well. 

Armenia’s Northeastern uncle Russia does not or cannot provide, Armenia the security Armenia needs to maintain its sovereignty. Consequently, Armenia has been reaching out to countries in the west. A considerable segment of the Armenians enjoys the benefits of Western civilization and live in the West and in Americas. Armenia appears to have no choice but also to tilt westward as its security dictates. But surely Armenia does intend to pursue a policy that will infringe upon the Russian interests in Armenia at its southernmost border. Nothing between Armenian and Russian relationship has changed and likely will not change to be of consequential concern to Russia’s security as far as Armenia is concerned, other than perceptions and perceptions are reality.  

Can Armenia’s policy be perceived dangerous? 

Of course, it can. But with an astute cohesive policy it does not have to be perceived so.  

Time will tell.

Note; Those interested may read Antranig Chalabianbs "Emperors, Tsars and Commissars" booklet : http://vhapelian.blogspot.com/2023/08/antranig-chalabian-emperors-tsars-and.html 

A difficult northern uncle indeed

Vahe H Apelian

Armenians have referred to Russia as its northern powerful Christian uncle because they have regarded Russia as their closest neighbor who would stand by them in case of need. This sentimental uncle has not lived up to that image politically. Russia has been and continues to be for the Armenians a difficult political uncle indeed, whom the Armenians do not imagine to dismiss from the family fold. Russia is and will remain Armenia’s Northeastern neighbor with whom they will have to deal.

Lately I am reminded of Antranig Chalabian’s take on Armenia and Russia relationship he penned in his booklet he titled “Emperors, Tsars and Commissars”.  The booklet is written in 1988 when the Soviet Union was teetering between abandoning the Soviet ship or restructuring it as its leader Gorbachev aspired. 

 I quote the following passage from his booklet: “As long as Turks are Turks and they are living in Turkey, Armenians inhabiting the southern boarders of the Soviet Union have no choice but to seek Russian protection, irrespective of the kind of government which rules that country. This is a political affinity and has nothing to do with ideologies. Only deranged Armenian politicos and pollical adventurers can think otherwise.”

Not all of course in Armenia are as adamant as Antranig Chalabian was.

But he also questioned and qualified that relationship and wrote: “Will the present-day Soviet rulers of glasnost and perestroika (openness and restructuring) be able to see the important role a greater and stronger Armenia can play in the political network of religious minded peoples on the southern borders of their empire? It remains to be seen.” 

Russia, Antranig wrote, is vulnerable at its southern border. Armenia, Chalabian said, is Russia’s natural and most reliable ally and the best guarantor of its southern border. But he also cautioned reflecting on history and said: “The Byzantine emperors made mistakes and they paid dearly for them. Russia’s tsars, in their turn, were incapable of seeing their southern borders were inhabited not by White Russians but by potentially dangerous Turkish peoples. In the face of that danger, instead of creating a great and autonomous Armenian state to divide and weaken those peoples, they aspired for an Armenia without Armenians, thus strengthening and uniting their own enemies!”

Over thirty years have passed since Soviet Union broke apart and Armenia regained its independence. But it is apparent that Russia, in the present, does not see the “the important role a greater and a stronger Armenia can play” as a buffer for Mother Russia in its southern border. I do not think we can negate Russia’s tilt has been away from its natural ally Armenia and has been towards Azerbaijan, naturally I mean to say to Azerbaijan-Turkey alliance. 

Armenia is small country to be of any military and economic concern for Russia or Turkey. However, Russia’s recent overreaction to Armenia military exercising with a token American forces in Armenia, where Russia maintains a battalion, is an indication that Armenia, the homeland of the global Armenian nation, is a very consequential country for Russia but it fails to treats it as a strategic ally, but rather takes Armenia for granted subject to its will.

Thus, Armenia historically as well as in the present continues to be caught between East and West and as such between two regional superpowers, the United States in the West and Russia in the East who are testing their military prowess and thus political, not on their grounds, but on other countries’ grounds, surely Ukraine and no less in Syria as well. 

Armenia’s Northeastern uncle Russia does not or cannot provide, Armenia the security Armenia needs to maintain its sovereignty. Consequently, Armenia has been reaching out to countries in the west. A considerable segment of the Armenians enjoys the benefits of Western civilization and live in the West and in Americas. Armenia appears to have no choice but also to tilt westward as its security dictates. But surely Armenia does intend to pursue a policy that will infringe upon the Russian interests in Armenia at its southernmost border. Nothing between Armenian and Russian relationship has changed and will likely change to be of consequential concern to Russia’s security as far as Armenia is concerned, other than perceptions and perceptions are reality.  

Can Armenia’s policy be perceived dangerous? 

Of course, it can. But with an astute cohesive policy it does not have to be perceived so.  

Time will tell.

Note; Those interested may read Antranig Chalabianbs "Emperors, Tsars and Commissars" booklet : http://vhapelian.blogspot.com/2023/08/antranig-chalabian-emperors-tsars-and.html 

11th Hour Artsakh Security and Development Front

 Vahe H. Apelian

Ruben Vardanyan was a minister of the Republic of Armenia. He was appointed to that position by president Arayik Harutunyunyan. However, he resigned after a short tenure. Yesterday I received an email from Ruben Vardanyan. Do not think that I have any personal ties with him. It surely is a chain email sent right and left and has reached me as well. 

In that email he writes: “The change of the President, though sudden, was not unexpected given people’s disillusionment and mistrust. I hope that the new leadership will be able to reassure the disheartened and deprived population of Artsakh that it is up to the task of leading the country until a solution is achieved.” 

The email has the following letterhead: “We Are Our Mountains”. Surely what Ruben is referring to is the resignation of Arayik Harutyunyan, the president who appointed him as a minister and whose resignation he sought;  and the election of Samvel Shahramanyan to the vacant presidential seat of the Republic of Artsakh that needed to be filled as soon as possible in these trying times.

But Ruben Vardanyan who had seen the need for change of leadership in Artsakh and had supported it, is not lending his support to the new president of Artsakh.  He is not saying that the newly elected president's success is my success and his failure is my failure, especially the he saw the election of a new president necessary. On the contrary, he is distancing himself. He says he hopes " that the new leadership will be able to reassure the disheartened and deprived population of Artsakh"'

What Ruben is basically saying is the following: Do not blame him - Ruben Vardanyan -  if nothing changes with the new president and the status and the issues remain the same. After all he - Ruben - is not part of the Artsakh Government any more. He has created his own front in the 11th hour and yesterday on the infamous September 11, he is celebrating the front's founding. If you, much like I, did not know about it, let it be heralded to you that yesterday, September 11, 2023 was the 100th day of his establishing his new 11th hour Artsakh salvation front. 

He writes: “You may also know that, together with several partner organizations, we created Artsakh Security and Development Front to join forces so that we could frame a coherent approach and position for a better future for Artsakh Armenians. Today, 11 September, is 100 days since the Front was set up, and we are determined to coordinate actions to seek resolution to this ongoing situation.” 

There we go ! Apparently the 30 some years old government of the Republic of Artsakh, born after much blood mother Artsakh shed, is not good enough "for a better future for Artsakh Armenians" and needed Ruben's "Artsakh security and development front." !

I could not figure if “We Are Our Mountains” Territorial Development Agency and the “Artsakh Security and Development Front” are one and the same of a greater organization or different organizations whose common thread is Ruben Vardanyan, the billionaire who briefly acted as Republic of Artsakh state minister. But I am reminded of the Armenian saying Լա՞ս թէ խնդաս.

Should I laugh or lament?

The email in Armenian and in English is attached for those interested.

 *****

Սեպտեմբերի 11, 2023 թ.   Հարգելի ընկերներ,   Վստահ եմ, որ հետևում եք Արցախում տեղի ունեցող իրադարձություններին, սակայն, օգտվելով առիթից, անձամբ եմ ուզում Ձեզ պատմել ներկա իրավիճակի մասին:   Նախագահի փոփոխությունը, թեև հանկարծակի, սակայն անսպասելի չէր՝ հաշվի առնելով մարդկանց հիասթափությունն ու անվստահությունը: Հուսով եմ, որ նոր ղեկավարությունը, կկարողանա վերականգնել Արցախի հուսալքված եւ ընչազուրկ հասարակության վստահությունը՝ ապացուցելով, որ կարող է ստանձնել երկրի ղեկը՝ մինչև խնդրին լուծում գտնելը:   Ինչ վերաբերում է մեր աշխատանքին, պետք է ասեմ, որ ձեր հսկայական աջակցության շնորհիվ «Մենք ենք մեր սարերը» տարածքային զարգացման գործակալությունը վերախմբավորվեց՝ ջանքերն ուղղելով Արցախի բնակչությանը հրատապ օգնություն տրամադրելուն: Չնայած լիակատար  շրջափակմանն ու ապրանքների կամ մարդկանց տեղաշարժի բացակայությանը՝ բանկերը դեռևս աշխատում են՝ պահպանելով դրամային հոսքը։ Տեղեկացեմ, որ ֆինանսական ռեսուրսներն ուղղվել են տեղական արտադրողին և արհեստագործությանը՝ օգնելով մարդկանց փոքր-ինչ մեղմել իրավիճակը: Էլեկտրական ավտոմեքենաներով, որ կարողացել ենք ձեռք բերել, հղի կանանց, երեխաներին, հաշմանդամներին ու տարեցներին տեղափոխում ենք բուժհաստատություններ: Ձիաքարշ սայլերը մեզ հնարավորություն են տալիս գյուղական շրջաններից ապրանք հասցնել բարեգործական երկու ճաշարաններ, որոնք գործարկել ենք կարիքավոր մարդկանց համար: Դրանք հնարավորություն են տալիս նրանց օրը գոնե մեկ անգամ համապատասխան սնունդ ստանալ: Անվճար սննդի պահանջարկն օրեցօր աճում է, և ինձ ցավ է պատճառում տեսնել օրեցօր աճող հերթերը և այն, որ ինչ-որ մեկին կարող է կերակուր չհասնել: Սա այն չէ, ինչ մենք ակնկալում էինք տեսնել 21-րդ դարում: Հավանաբար տեղյակ եք, որ մի քանի գործընկեր կազմակերպությունների հետ մենք ստեղծել ենք Արցախի անվտանգության և զարգացման ճակատ հասարակական շարժումը, որպեսզի միավորենք մեր ուժերը և կարողանանք հետևողական մոտեցում ու դիրքորոշում ձևավորել արցախահայության համար ավելի լավ ապագա կերտելու գործում: Այսօր՝ սեպտեմբերի 11-ին, լրանում է Ճակատի ստեղծման 100-րդ օրը, և մենք վճռական ենք մեր գործողություններում՝ ստեղծված իրավիճակում լուծում գտնելու հարցում: Շնորհակալ եմ Արցախի և իմ կողքին լինելու համար։ Խնդրում ենք հետևել զարգացումներին և օգնել մեզ, որ աշխարհը նույնպես տեղյակ լինի իրադարձությունների զարգացմանը: Ջերմագույն ցանկություններով՝   Ռուբեն    Հ. Գ. Ահավասիկ մի քանի հղում, որոնք կարող են օգտակար լինել։ Արցախի պայքարն ու Հայաստանի սխալները. հարցազրույց Civilnet-ին Ապաշրջափակել Արցախի մարդկանց Հարցազրույց Caucasus Watch-ին

11 September 2023   Dear friends,   I trust you follow the developments in Artsakh, but I would like to take this opportunity to give you a personal update.   The change of the President, though sudden, was not unexpected given people’s disillusionment and mistrust. I hope that the new leadership will be able to reassure the disheartened and deprived population of Artsakh that it is up to the task of leading the country until a solution is achieved.    In terms of our own work, with your tremendous support “We are Our Mountains” regrouped and, while the blockade is total and there is no movement of goods or people, banks are still in operation. The financial resources have enabled local handcraft and manufacturing, which, though basic, give people a purpose and somewhat help to soften the blow. Electric vehicles that we managed to acquire locally take pregnant women, children, disabled and older people to medical appointments. Horse-drawn carts allow us to bring provisions from the country for the two soup kitchens we are maintaining for the people in need, who can have at least one good meal a day. The demand for free meals is growing daily and it pains me to see that the people have to be turned away as they queue. This is not what we expect in the 21-st century!   You may also know that, together with several partner organizations, we created Artsakh Security and Development Front to join forces so that we could frame a coherent approach and position for a better future for Artsakh Armenians. Today, 11 September, is 100 days since the Front was set up, and we are determined to coordinate actions to seek resolution to this ongoing situation.   Thank you for being there for Artsakh and for me.   Please stay tuned and help make sure the world is aware of the developments.   With warm wishes, Ruben   PS Here are a few links in case you missed them: Artsakh's Struggle and Armenia's Mistakes | Ruben Vardanyan in an interview with CivilNet Unblock Humanity of Artsakh Interview with Caucasus Watch Artsakh awaits humaniarian airlift

From Arayik Harutyunyan to Samvel Shahramanyan: What changed?

Vahe H. Apelian

Note: The English translation of the quotes is Google's doing.

 Courtesy Garo Konyalian

My first reaction to the change of leadership in Artsakh was my expectations that a major change of policy has taken place and that Russia asserted  itself as de facto master of the Caucasus with a Coup de Grâce.

But, has it been that? (http://vhapelian.blogspot.com/2023/09/lachin-corridor-test-of-wills.html)

During his inaugural address to the Artsakh National Assembly, the newly elected president Samvel Shahramanyan addressed the fundamental issues concerning Nagorno-Karabagh, the Lachin corridor, and Stepanakert-Yerevan relations and did not dwell on partisan politics.

First and foremost, the president Samel disputed Azerbaijan’s claim that there is no Nagorno-Karabakh issue any more and that the war has resolved the matter. He noted that it is not so and that the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, contrary to Azerbaijan’s claim, is not resolved and that it should have a status. 

I quote, the first point from his inaugural address:

“The Artsakh conflict is not settled, as Azerbaijan claims, therefore Nagorno-Karabakh is a disputed territory that should receive a certain status. (Արցախյան հակամարտությունը կարգավորված չէ, ինչպես պնդում է Ադրբեջանը, հետևաբար Լեռնային Ղարաբաղը հանդիսանում է վիճելի տարածք, որը պետք է ստանա որոշակի կարգավիճակ.”

         The president also noted that in no uncertain terms that Artsakh and Armenia should have a direct transport line and that there is no substitute to the Lachin corridor and that it should be open.  

I quote the second point he made in his inaugural address.

“Artsakh and Armenia should have a direct transport connection, the Lachin Corridor. Contrary to Baku's claims, the latter has been closed for a long time and should be opened. Other regional roads should also be launched, but they cannot replace the Lachine Corridor or be seen as an alternative to it. (Արցախն ու Հայաստանը պետք է ունենան ուղիղ տրանսպորտային հաղորդակցություն՝ Լաչինի միջանցք։ Վերջինս ի հակառակ Բաքվի պնդումների՝ արդեն տևական ժամանակ է փակ է և պետք է բացվի։ Պետք է գործարկվեն նաև տարածաշրջանային այլ ճանապարհներ ևս, սական դրանք չեն կարող փոխարինել Լաչինի միջանցքին, կամ դիտվել դրան այլընտրանք,)”

What was more revealing to me was the third point the new president of Artsakh made in the same inaugural address to the National Assembly of Artsakh noting that Stepanakert should negotiation with Baku. But he mentioned that along with the Russian Federation that there is a “collective west’ that is ready to provide a platform and act as mediator. I do not recall having read in the NA of Artsakh any reference to a “collective west”. I believe that these few words are very significant. 

I quote the third point he made in his inaugural address.

“Stepanakert should negotiate with Baku. Moreover, in this matter, both the Russian Federation and the collective West are ready to provide a platform and act as a mediator, which Azerbaijan is categorically against. (Ստեփանակերտը պետք է բանակցի Բաքվի հետ։ Ընդ որում, այս հարցում, թե ՌԴ-ն և թե հավաքական արևմուտքը պատրաստ են տրամադրել հարթակ և հանդես գալ միջնորդի դերում, ինչին կտրականապես դեմ է Ադրբեջանը:)”

Samvel Shahramanyan, also addressed Stepanakert and Yerevan relations, rather bluntly.

I quote: 

“Rethinking its security concept in the light of post-war realities, the Republic of Armenia actually backed away from its multi-year mission as the guarantor of Artsakh's security and adopted an approach called the peace agenda, the core of which is the recognition of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, including Artsakh, provided that the basic rights of Artsakh Armenians and freedoms.” (Հայաստանի Հանրապետությունը հետպատերազմյան իրողությունների հաշվառմամբ վերանայելով իր անվտանգային հայեցակարգը, փաստացի հետ է կանգնել Արցախի անվտանգության երաշխավորի իր բազմամյա առաքելությունից և որդեգրել է խաղաղության օրակարգ անունով մի մոտեցում, որի առանցքն է կազմում Ադրբեջանի տարածքային ամբողջականության ճանաչելը, ներառյալ Արցախը, պայմանով, որ ապահովված լինեն արցախահայության հիմնական իրավունքներն ու ազատությունները:)

Indeed, Armenia has changed its policy regarding Artsakh. Nikol Pachinyan pursues a policy of peace in the region and as far as Artsakh in Azerbaijan is concerned, I quote Dan Donabedian ““Armenia has never signed a piece of paper recognizing Artsakh as Azerbaijan. Instead, it said it would be willing to do so if and only if the rights and securities of Armenians had guarantees and protections under international assurances.” It is a conditional statement that the president of Artsakh echoes but it is not hard to imagine that Artsakh expects more from Armenia, only if the latter could deliver more.

The president Samvel’s statement has displeased some segments of the citizens of Armenian, not as a divergent policy matter, but simply because as citizens of Armenia, they have shouldered the well-being of Artsakh materially and by blood. It is claimed that 5 to 6% of the Republic of Armenia’s budget, that naturally comes from the taxes the citizens of Armenia pay, is devoted to Artsakh, which presents 1/30 of Armenia's population. We know the inordinate human cost the citizens of Armenia bear having a few thousand of their young sons martyred during the Artakh war/s. 

From Arayik to Samvel, for now, there does not appear to be a change in the fundamental policy of Artsakh which obviously is an existential matter. His inaugurals address focused on the fundamental that is a matter of “to be or not to be” for Artsakh. 

I quote president Samvel Shahramanyan:

“Dear Members of Parliament, the essence of the vision presented to you can be summed up in the following brief formulation. strengthening the state and maintaining internal stability, protecting Artsakh's right to self-determination, ensuring its free life and security, promoting the country's economic development, gradually improving the social condition of the people and strengthening law and order. “Հարգելի պատգամավորներ՝ Ձեզ արդեն իսկ ներկայացրած տեսլականի էությունը կարելի է ամփոփել հետևյալ սեղմ ձևակերպմամբ. պետության ամրապնդում և ներքին կայունության պահպանում, Արցախի ինքնորոշման իրավունքի պաշտպանում, նրա ազատ կենսագործունեության և անվտանգության ապահովում, երկրի տնտեսական զարգացման խթանում, ժողովրդի սոցիալական վիճակի աստիճանական բարելավում և օրինականության ու կարգուկանոնի ամրապնդում։”

It is imperative that we read the newly elected president’s inaugural address to formulate an informed opinion for a constructive dialogue in the Diaspora.

 

 

 

 

 

Lachin Corridor: A test of wills

Vahe H Apelian

Soon after being elected as the new president of the Republic of Artsakh, Samvel Shahramanyan, the government of Artsakh issued the following communique.: “The Government of the Russian Federation took an initiative to provide humanitarian aid to the Republic of Artsakh, taking into account the humanitarian crisis created in our republic. The aid, which contains vital products of Russian production, was sent to Artsakh the other day by the Russian Red Cross, in the vehicles of that organization.

The authorities of the Republic of Artsakh, based on the need to alleviate the acute humanitarian problems caused by the complete blockade implemented by Azerbaijan, have decided to allow the entry of Russian goods into our republic through the city of Askeran. At the same time, an agreement was reached, according to which humanitarian cargo transportation by Russian peacekeepers and the International Committee of the Red Cross will be restored through the Lachin Corridor.”

The announcement seemed to indicate that a compromise had been reached between Russian Federation and the Azerbaijan-Turkish alliance. I say Azerbaijan-Turkish alliance because it is this alliance that is shaping the status of Caucasus even though Azerbaijan remains the front.  It did not take long for the Russian Federation to face the reality that it had overstepped its presence in the Caucasus for there appears there has not been such an agreement or if there was one, Baku has reneged it insisting that the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Republic of Artsakh should come through Aghdam and not through Askeran.

During his inaugural address to the Artsakh National Assembly, the newly elected president Samvel Shahramanyan said the following regarding the status of  Artsakh and its land lifelines.

1.      The Artsakh conflict is not settled, as Azerbaijan claims, therefore Nagorno-Karabakh is a disputed territory that should receive a certain status. (Արցախյան հակամարտությունը կարգավորված չէ, ինչպես պնդում է Ադրբեջանը, հետևաբար Լեռնային Ղարաբաղը հանդիսանում է վիճելի տարածք, որը պետք է ստանա որոշակի կարգավիճակ,)

2.      Artsakh and Armenia should have a direct transport connection, the Lachin Corridor. Contrary to Baku's claims, the latter has been closed for a long time and should be opened. Other regional roads should also be launched, but they cannot replace the Lachine Corridor or be seen as an alternative to it. (Արցախն ու Հայաստանը պետք է ունենան ուղիղ տրանսպորտային հաղորդակցություն՝ Լաչինի միջանցք։ Վերջինս ի հակառակ Բաքվի պնդումների՝ արդեն տևական ժամանակ է փակ է և պետք է բացվի։ Պետք է գործարկվեն նաև տարածաշրջանային այլ ճանապարհներ ևս, սական դրանք չեն կարող փոխարինել Լաչինի միջանցքին, կամ դիտվել դրան այլընտրանք,)

3.      Stepanakert should negotiate with Baku. Moreover, in this matter, both the Russian Federation and the collective West are ready to provide a platform and act as a mediator, which Azerbaijan is categorically against. (Ստեփանակերտը պետք է բանակցի Բաքվի հետ։ Ընդ որում, այս հարցում, թե ՌԴ-ն և թե հավաքական արևմուտքը պատրաստ են տրամադրել հարթակ և հանդես գալ միջնորդի դերում, ինչին կտրականապես դեմ է Ադրբեջանը:)

I believe the Russians are experiencing a taste of their own medicine. I imagine they are realizing that their tilt towards Azerbaijan is at Azerbaijan’s pleasure to accept. It does not surprise me that Russia was the main reason that the Arayik Harutyunyan resigned and his resignation was going to be rewarded with Russia delivering the humanitarian aid, without realizing that for Azerbaijan, humanitarian aid coming to Artsakh will be Azerbaijan’s call not Russia’s. Consequently sticking to its stand, Azerbaijan categorically refused Russia’s humanitarian aid through Askeran insisting that the humanitarian delivery should go through Aghdam. Russia has accommodated Azerbaijan and has not challenged it. The newly elected government of Artsakh has refused to accept humanitarian aid coming from Aghdam, even though it may be sponsored by Russia and not by Azerbaijan.

The humanitarian aid delivery for now is at a standstill. I imagine that Russians are licking their wounded pride, while the brave people of Artsakh face famine.

 

 

 

September 8, 1945: Hovhannes and Zvart got married in Keurkune

Vahe H. Apelian

 

Hovhannes and Zvart Apelian

Facebook reminded me today that I had posted my parents’ formal wedding photograph they had taken in Beirut, after their wedding in their ancestral village Keurkune. Their wedding godparents were Mihran and Shoushan Tourigian who hailed from the Khoups village of Keghi. Their sons, Hratch and Hrayr became my and my brother’s baptismal god parents.  A history that has long unfolded now in our family.

What caught my attention is the anniversary card she has bought for them and presented to her husband writing on the card. 

“Dear Hovhannes

It is the 55^th anniversary of our wedding tomorrow, 1945 September 8 -2000 September 8. Noiselessly passed many years. We do not know if we will have other (celebratory) decade. Let us thank God for the 55 years. Let us wish the good to all. May the Lord not separate us from each for long. Amen. May the remaining days be bearable

With love

Yours Zvart Apelian

She has signed a wedding anniversary card. Notably she has erased the letter Y from “your” making it “our” and added 55^th, having the card read as follows,  addressed to "My husband & Myself".

“Remembering you on your ^55th anniversary and hoping that you’ll find that your special day leaves happy memories behind.

Congratulations”

Your Zvart Apelian

September 8, 2000

Their deaths

My father Hovhannes, was born to Stepan and Sara (Moussajekian) Apelian on December 24, 1921, in Keurkune, Kessab. He passed away in a hospice on June 18, 2007. They had their 60^th wedding anniversary but my father was bedridden. My mother was with him throughout, while I called her regularly on the land line in the room. My last call happened to be almost right after his death. I remember her choice of words conveying to me his death. After all she was the quintessential Armenian language teacher. «Շիշեցաւ», she said, using a verb that means "extinguished", "put out", such as to “put out the lamp” – Ճրագը շիջեցնել and is used figuratively.

My mother Zvart was born to Khatcher Chelebian and Karoun(Apelian), on September 2, 1924, in Keurkune, Kessab. She passed away peacefully on January 31, 2017, while seated on her chair at the Ararat Armenian nursing home, where she received tender loving care. 

Hovhannes and Zvart Apelian